Isabella glanced up from the herbs she was examining when she heard a knock on the door.

“Yes, come on in.” She answered, and the door slowly opened.

Isabella smiled when she saw Anna enter the bedroom awkwardly.

“Thank you for your time, ma’am.”

“Oh, you don’t have to, My Lady. I am at your beck and call.”

“Would you like some tea? It will be ready in a few minutes.”

“It’s all right. I just drank them earlier.”

Somehow, Isabella understood Anna‘s constant refusal.

She must find it awkward to treat a former servant who became a lady overnight.

“Yes, of course, but you should sit down for a while.” She said as she walked to the desk full of herbs Seria had sent her.

Then, he approached Anna, who was already sitting on the sofa.

Anna hurried to her feet when she saw Isabella approach.

“You can sit down,” Isabella repeated.

Anna sat back on the sofa in discomfort.

“Are you upset with me, Anna?” Isabella asked. “After all, I just told you that I had nothing to do with His Highness, and now—-”

Anna shook her head. “No, I’m not.”

“When I talked to you about it, the Archduke had nothing to do with me. I do like His Highness, but I kept it to myself. I never thought the events would turn out like this.”

“You did like His Highness?”

Blushing, Isabella nodded at Anna’s question. “Yes. I’m also a bit puzzled and confused. I feel happy when I’m around him, but I also feel anxious at the same time.”

“I understand.”

“I’m relieved to hear that from you, Anna. I  wanted to get along with you. You are the only person I can trust and rely on in this castle. I am sincere with everything I have told you so far.”

Anna looked at her with brown eyes full of unshed tears.

Isabella reached out to clutch Anna’s hand, wishing their good relationship would continue.

Anna became a maid at the young age of sixteen, and at thirty, she became the household manager in Rubella Castle.

For her future, Isabella wanted to make Anna her own.

It wasn’t a lie when she told her that she was the only servant she trusted and relied on.

“Miss.” Anna’s eyes softened when she looked at Isabella.

“Perhaps, it’s because I don’t have a family, so I have relied on you more.”

“You don’t have a family?”

“Yes, I’ve been alone since I was young.”

“Oh, no. You must have had a hard time.”

Anna’s concern seemed genuine, and it made Isabella smile.

“I’m fine now because I’ve met someone as nice as you, Anna.”

“If you are having a hard time in the future, feel free to tell me. I don’t know if I can help you with everything, but I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Isabella felt relieved that her relationship with Anna had improved a little.

Isabella picked up the bag of herbs on the table.

“If you soak these herbs in the bathtub for about thirty minutes, it will help relieve all your muscle pain. The effect might not be obvious initially, but it will improve if you continue to use it.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you can come to me whenever you run out of them.”

“Thank you, My Lady.”

Isabella looked at Anna warmly.

She was relieved that her relationship with Anna was finally restored.

**

Duke Kyar defended himself from Evan’s sword.

He didn’t even break a sweat as the Knight attacked him with all his might.

Evan’s swordsmanship was poor, unlike his skills in archery skills but his intense efforts made up for it.

He never gave up, even if his attacks were constantly blocked and he was on the verge of exhaustion.

He continued to challenge himself until he went past the breaking point.

Duke Kyar was slightly annoyed by his tenacity because this can also symbolize that Evan wouldn’t retreat from pursuing Isabella.

The Knight lost his balance, fell, and rolled on the floor, but he quickly rose again to pick up his wooden sword, his light blue hair soaking in sweat.

Duke Kyar struck the Knight’s wooden sword lightly.

Despite his shaking legs, Evan didn’t stop attacking him.

The Archduke took pity on him and decided to end this once and for all.

He attacked Evan for the first time.

The Knight exhaled a rough breath when he felt the tip of the wooden sword touch his nape.

“I lost,” Evan admitted defeat, and Duke Kyar glanced down at him with indifference.